Dec. 6 showing of the “Greenhorns” Watkins Glen NY

The Greenhorns

Documentary film’s local premiere at the Glen Theater, Watkins Glen.

Tuesday, December 6th, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.

60-min. documentary film takes an inspiring journey across the US to explore new food and farming enterprises, rural and urban possibilities and diverse producer and consumer initiatives.

A panel discussion and community conversation is part of the evening event: How can Schuyler County and the Seneca Lake area continue to nurture and support the current and emerging potential for on-farm and food related businesses?

The public is heartily invited.

Doors open at 6:30 for the 7PM screening.
Admission is $5.00.
Refreshments will be available.

Presented by Finger Lakes Bioneers with local partners.
http://www.thegreenhorns.net/
Contact: Nick Vaczek, film series coordinator, at 607-793-7566 or http://www.wemakeourfuture.org

This is the list of panelists (two additional to be confirmed)-

Brett J. Chedzoy, Moderator —
Senior Resource Educator, Schuyler County Cornell Cooperative Extension Land Use Team AND http://www.angusglenfarm.com

Violet Stone
Program Coordinator, Cornell Small Farms Program
http://www.smallfarms.cornell.edu/ AND http://nebeginningfarmers.org/

Jacob Eisman
Six Circles Farm
http://sixcirclesfarm.com/

Liz Martin
Muddy Fingers Farm
http://nebeginningfarmers.org/video/view-videos-by-farm/muddy-fingers-farm/

Kathryn Engel
RK Farms
http://www.puregrassbeef.com/

Lou Johns
Blue Heron Farm
http://blueheronorganic.com/

ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND:

Finger Lakes Bioneers will host a screening of The Greenhorns- a new documentary film that seeks to “embolden, entice and recruit” people into provisioning the nation. The film is about an hour in length so there will be plenty of time for discussion. There will be a panel with audience dialogue and brainstorming on ways to support local farmers, farming and food processing and a vibrant and resilient local economy.

Local Strategies and Possibilities Explored:
The Seneca Lake landscape increasingly hosts a bounty of produce, products and agritourism visitors. The local agricultural economy is strong and getting stronger thanks to the grit, creativity, and boot-strapping everyday research and determination of a wide spectrum of the community. Our farmers and other food support system entrepreneurs of the Finger Lakes have a long history of finding innovative solutions to the problems they have faced. The current economic climate is indeed challenging and may be somewhat unique compared to the recent past, but new trends, new types of markets and new types of marketing methods are offering opportunities to those with the initiative to embark upon innovative rural renewal. It will be demanding and it will mean learning a wide spectrum of skills. Yet that has always been true of resourceful folks who make their living from the land. And it is still true that the generations can engage with and learn from one another. The dilemmas rural residents face about making vocational choices impacts directly on the viability of their communities. The potentials of an emerging and re-strengthened food economy can confer benefits and stability in the Watkins Glen area’s immediate, near and distant future.

Information exchange is key to the emergence of markets and marketing as we can see in the region’s inspiring and flavorful ‘trail mix’ options that help both visitors and producers alike explore wine, cheese, ale, art, fiber, green energy and more through the seasons. The goal of this community conversation is to hear some reflections from a few of the local heroes and to share thoughts about ways to incubate further success stories close at hand- for young entrants into the scene especially. We hope to have a free-ranging forum that includes farming fans, food processors, culinary celebrants, wise sages and novices, lovers of a good diner and a good donut.

As the director of the film notes:
“We want to update the general public’s view of farmers into that of being heroes of our time, so that communities may become invested in rooting for their success- and even of helping to facilitate that success.”

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